Minnesota Update: Bill to Modify Use of Hunting Traps that Could Harm Pets

Minnesota Senate File 1325 seeks to modify the use of certain traps used in hunting, and would require the reporting of pets or companion animals found caught in traps.  SF 1325 is currently pending in the Minnesota State Senate after being passed by both the Environment and Energy and Judiciary committees.  Minnesota dog owners and enthusiasts are encouraged to contact their State Senators and Senate leadership and respectfully share your thoughts on SF 1325.

The American Kennel Club encourages and strongly supports the interaction and mutual enjoyment of owners and dogs in sporting activities such as hunting and field trials; in working circumstances such as herding, tracking, and pulling; and in competitive events such as dog shows, obedience trials, agility trials, and other performance events and tests.  The AKC believes that dogs should be properly cared for, humanely trained, and not pushed beyond reasonable limits for which they were bred.  AKC supports measures that help ensure the safety of dogs participating in such activities.

As currently worded, SF 1325 would:

Modify the acceptable uses of body-gripping traps.

Limit a person from setting or placing a trap or snare on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person, unless the person has the written permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee of the private property.  Currently, trappers do not need permission to set traps on private properties that lack no trespassing signs.

Require a person who finds a pet or companion animal taken in the person’s trap or snare to notify a conservation officer or employee of the Fish and Wildlife Division within 24 hours after the animal is discovered by the person or the taking is reported to the person.  Failure to do so would result in a misdemeanor and loss of license.

This bill does not outlaw trapping.  Instead, it seeks to require traps be set in a safe manner to significantly reduce the likelihood that dogs used in hunting will not be injured or killed.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Minnesota residents are encouraged to contact their State Senator and the Senate’s leaders, and express your thoughts on SF 1325.

Minnesota residents, click here to find your state senator by using “Who Represents Me” tool.  

Click here for a form to email Majority Leader State Senator Tom Bakk.

Click here for a form to email Minority Leader State Senator David Hann.

AKC Government Relations will continue to monitor SF 1325 and its companion HF 1655, and will report developments as they warrant.  For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or email doglaw@akc.org.